Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that all local authorities are adequately arranging for the collection of swill so as 327W to reduce the wholesale slaughter of chickens-which is now taking place?
§ Mr. PeatOne hundred and forty-five local authorities are now under direction to collect kitchen waste and to send it to concentrator plants for sterilization. This number will be added to as and when further plants can be made available or when the Ministry of Supply is satisfied, on advice from the Ministry of Agriculture, that there are adequate outlets to local stock feeders for the kitchen waste which would be collected. Four hundred and sixty-seven local authorities, in addition to the 145 under direction, make regular collections; there are also private collections in a large number of districts. The rate of collection by local authorities has steadily increased and has now reached a total of 27,000 tons a month. Although greater efforts are needed in some cases, I am reasonably satisfied with the progress which is being made.